LAGCOE Lights Up The 23rd Oil Center Festival Of Lights

Nov 28, 2016 07:51AM
● Published by Caitlin Marshall

The Oil Center Renaissance Association (OCRA) and the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exhibition (LAGCOE) team up this holiday season to bring an educational dynamic to this year’s 23 annual Festival of Lights: Light and Learn with LAGCOE. The exposition will feature fun, interactive holiday activities designed to introduce Lafayette’s next generation to the energy industry.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in interactive games based on energy industry themes. Older children will familiarize with circuits and electricity through a demonstration using a set of Christmas lights, and younger children will build derrick Christmas ornaments out of Popsicle sticks. LAGCOE’s Christmas Tree Corner will display a mechanical oilfield Christmas tree.

“Because education is at the heart of our purpose, LAGCOE is excited to participate in the historic Oil Center’s Festival of Lights with Light and Learn with LAGCOE,” said Angela Cring, LAGCOE Executive Director. “We know that these activities will surely educate and entertain.”

“Participating in the Festival of Lights . . . is a great way to give back to the community, promote STEM education, bring attention to the rich history of the Oil Center, and continue to support the growth and development of the energy industry that has been so vital in the development of Lafayette . . . We look forward to welcoming families . . . to experience a fun, family friendly festival, discover the uniqueness of the Oil Center and learn about the energy industry.”

OCRA Board President, Kristin Bodin, added: “We want to bring positivity to local families during this tough economic time . . . Light and Learn with LAGCOE introduces a new avenue to connecting education and entertainment in a festive environment. The Oil Center is important to OCRA and LAGCOE, and we want our community to support and appreciate its history as much as we do.”

Festival of LightsFor 23 years, the Oil Center has delighted Lafayette families with its famous, annual holiday event on the first Friday in December. Festival of Lights attracts thousands each season, and offers traditional Christmas festivities, such as children arts and crafts, photos with Santa, a horse and carriage ride, a candy cane hunt, face painting, live music, carnival games, a living nativity, and more. Oil Center shops will remain open for adults to enjoy holiday shopping. This year’s festival will be held Friday, December 2, 5-9pm. Admission is free. For more information and to purchase family packs in advance, please visit www.theoilcenter.com.

About LAGCOESince the mid 1950s, LAGCOE has called the Oil Center its home. LAGCOE is a nonprofit energy industry organization that provides educational programs and trade show expositions. Every other year, the organization hosts its oil and gas technical exposition & conference in Lafayette, which is among the oldest and largest energy industry trade shows in the U.S. LAGCOE stimulates economic growth of the energy industry by supporting domestic and global business development, fostering the energy workforce pipeline, and promoting industry commerce and education. For more information on LAGCOE events and programs, please visit www.lagcoe.com.

About OCRA The Oil Center Renaissance Association (OCRA), established in 1994, is a 501c6 non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that promotes the revitalization, improvement and vision of the future for Lafayette’s Oil Center. Its mission, to unite the business community to preserve, enhance, and assure the continued viability of Oil Center, encourages orderly growth, avoids urban decay, and fosters a positive image of the Oil Center.

OCRA drives economic development and sustainability of the Oil Center through annual events and projects, such as the annual Festival of Lights and the After Hours music series. It also maintains the image and public awareness of the Oil Center and its businesses, and partners with local charities and organizations on co-advertising projects. For more information about upcoming events, please visit www.theoilcenter.com.